Obituary of Elsa M. Church

Elsa Basilici Church, 81, of Marcellus, passed away October 12, 2014 at home after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's and more recently, cancer. She was the daughter of Angelo Basilici and Phyllis Basilici of Massachusetts. Born and raised in Massachusetts, Elsa was predeceased by her parents and her brothers, Eugene Basilici of Florida and Richard Basilici of Pennsylvania and granddaughter, Sarah Kraus. Elsa began her working career as an executive secretary for Amica Insurance Company in Boston, Massachusetts where she met the love of her life, John "Jack" Church. After a very short engagement, Elsa and Jack were married and soon after, Jack was transferred to the Syracuse Amica Office. They moved to Marcellus in 1965. Elsa then became a stay-at-home mother to their four children. After Jack retired, Elsa re-entered the workforce where she worked at Special Funds in Dewitt until her retirement. For many years Elsa taught Kindergarten Sunday School at St. Michael's Lutheran Church, Camillus and she volunteered many years for the Marcellus Free Library. Surviving Elsa is her loving husband of 55 years John, daughters Lisa (Tom) Esterguard and Leslie (David) Kraus; sons Jeffrey (Michele) Church and John (Laurie) Church and also her seven grandchildren and her five great-grandchildren. Elsa is also survived by her sister, Judi Cimeno of E. Dedham, Massachusetts and many nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be 4 to 7pm Wednesday, October 15th at Ryan Funeral Home, 44 E. Main Street, Marcellus. The Funeral Service will be held 11am Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Kirkpatrick Day Program, 441 W. Kirkpatrick St., Syracuse, NY? 13204 or to Hospice of CNY, 990 Seventh North Street, Liverpool, NY 13088. A special thank you for all those who helped us be able to keep Mom at home during her transition.